Aricelis AhorrioManville–Cosmetology

Malak Akinlabi*Franklin Park–Academy

Juan AmundsenBranchburg–PlumbingAishwarya Anand*Somerset–AcademyVlad Anisimov

Bridgewater–WeldingMadalyn Arcurio*

Flemington–AcademyHailey Baker

Branchburg–CosmetologyMichael Bartkowiak†*

Somerset–Theater ArtsRaymond Bellaran

Bridgewater–Law & Public Safety

Robert BenderHillsborough–AcademyCassanova BentleyNew Brunswick–CTEJulianne BianciellaRaritan–Theater Arts

Hailey BizubBasking Ridge–

Health OccupationsBrianna Bolt

Hamilton–DanceGerard Booker

Manville–Auto BodyElizabeth Brown

Raritan–CosmetologyWilliam Brown

Bridgewater–Auto/DieselSzawn BuchalaHillsborough

Electrical ConstructionAdam Burnett

Basking Ridge–Plumbing

Jennifer CalderonSouth Bound BrookHealth OccupationsHugo Camacho

Bound Brook–Integrated TechRayden CanuelRaritan–CarpentryNicholas Carro

Belle Mead–WeldingMarla Castillo†

Bound BrookHealth OccupationsThomas Caswell

ManvilleLaw & Public SafetyWilliam Chiriboga

PrincetonGraphic Communications

Timothy ChoBridgewater–Welding

Emily ConlonHillsborough–Theater Arts

Stephanie Coppola*Milford–AcademySamuel Corn

Ringoes–CarpentryRebecca Coviello

Hillsborough–Culinary ArtsCiani Crosby

Bedminster–DanceDerek Crosby

Bridgewater–Theater ArtsEthan D'Alessandro

Martinsville–Theater ArtsKatherine DavisSkillman–DanceBrian DeBias

Branchburg–CarpentryKaitlyn Deo

Martinsville–Cosmetology

Emily DeSotelleBridgewater–Theater Arts

Rosario DiazSomerset–Agricultural Science

Veronica DobranskiBranchburg–Cosmetology

Logan DolciHillsborough–WeldingTerrence Driscoll

Bridgewater–Integrated TechStephen Dutko

Watchung–CarpentryKamiylah Eads-LundySomerset–Cosmetology

Margaret FairleyBasking Ridge–Dance

Alexis FasoliRaritan–Auto Body

Kristen Fernandez-Gonzalez†*South Bound Brook

Graphic CommunicationsKendall FerruggiaWarren–CosmetologyMichelle Fishbeyn*Ringoes–AcademyEthan Fleming

Bridgewater–CarpentryMegan FloresBound Brook–

Health OccupationsBarbara Follett*

Neshanic Sta.–AcademySarah Furman*

Flemington–AcademyKaitlyn Gargirello

Bridgewater–CosmetologySalvatore Gargiulo

Bridgewater–Theater ArtsMeyer Gershater*

Bridgewater–Academy

William GlanceyGreen Brook–WeldingShubhamkumar GohilHillsborough–Academy

Brandon GreenBound Brook

Agricultural ScienceLayla Grier

Bernardsville–DanceFabiola GuillenBound Brook

Graphic CommunicationsDylan Ham

Bridgewater–WeldingTravis Hays†Bound Brook

Electrical ConstructionEmily Heathcote*

Branchburg–AcademyBenton Hellwig

Bridgewater–WeldingMegan Hickson

BranchburgGraphic Communications

Skylar HollandRaritan–WeldingCarmen Huby

Bridgewater–CosmetologyRyan IppolitoBranchburg

Graphic CommunicationsGabrielle Jacob*

North Plainfield–Academy

Mia JaderlundHillsborough–Dance

Chloe Jen*Bridgewater–AcademyKhailah Johnson†

Somerset–Theater ArtsTrevor Jones†

Belle Mead–Auto/Diesel TechRicky Kelly

North PlainfieldLaw & Public Safety

Jack Kinst*Hillsborough–AcademyEmily Kopchains†

Far Hills–Theater ArtsSteven Kyle

Branchburg–Elec. Construc.Sylvester LaBrunda

Bedminster–Agri. ScienceKaryn LaCanna

Neshanic Sta.–Health Occup.Brianna LaFace†*

WarrenGraphic Communications

Tara LardiereBranchburg–Auto Body

Dylan LaRue†*

South Bound BrookAuto/Diesel Technologies

Erik Latini*Somerset–Integrated Tech

Jacob LesserBridgewater–Dance

Jaclyn Maese†

Basking Ridge–Theater ArtsKristen Marcinek

Green Brook–AcademyDaria Marini†*Bridgewater

Graphic CommunicationsAndrew Martinez

BridgewaterLaw & Public SafetyYessenia Martinez

BridgewaterLaw & Public SafetyKayla McLaughlin

S. Bound Brook–CosmetologyJack McManus†

Bridgewater–Theater ArtsPriyanka Mehta*Somerset–AcademySteven MerrillN. Plainfield

Integrated TechnologyChristina Messner

Hillsborough–Health Occup.Jacob Meyer

Bridgewater–Auto BodyVictoria Moran

Bridgewater–Theater ArtsHarry Moreno Junco*South Bound BrookLaw & Public SafetyJessica MoschetteFlemington–Dance

Cassandra MountneyRaritan–DanceJostin Murillo

Manville–Auto BodyElaina Murnane

Somerville–CosmetologyTamia MuslimPlainfield–DanceSamantha Neves

Manville–Health Occup.Shawn O'Kane

Bridgewater–Theater ArtsAnamaria Onate†*

S. Bound BrookGraphic Communications

Khushma Parekh*Ringoes–Academy

David ParisiBound Brook–Welding

Parth Patel*Raritan–AcademyRuchi Patel*

Hillsborough–AcademyZachary Pawlikowski

BridgewaterAgricultural ScienceMichael Pena*

Somerset–AcademyLiz Perez

S. Bound Brook–CosmetologyMichael Perez

Bridgewater–Auto/Diesel Tech

Nicolette PeronBranchburg–Dance

Molly PianoBranchburg–Cosmetology

Alok Pillai*Hillsborough–Academy

Steven PochickGreen Brook–Auto Body

SatyakrishnaPolavarapu*

Bridgewater–AcademySravanthi Polavarapu*Bridgewater–AcademyIrene Rabinowitz

Hillsborough–CosmetologyAndres Ramos

N. Plainfield–Auto BodyMadhavi Rana*

Neshanic Station–AcademyMarcelo Rios

South Bound BrookElectrical ConstructionAmanda Rodriguez†

Somerville–Health Occup.Ashley Rodriguez*

Bound BrookIntegrated TechnologyJaclyn Romankow†

Gillette–Theater ArtsSydney Rutigliano†

Hillsborough–Theater ArtsGianna Sabo

Hillsborough–Dance

Nicholas SadlonStirling

Auto/Diesel TechnologiesJohn Sala

Belle Mead–Auto BodyZairy Salas

Somerset–CosmetologyChristopher Santos*Branchburg–Academy

Michael ScilliaBranchburg–Integrated Tech

Nicole SeyffartS. Bound Brook–Cosmetology

Palak Shah*Hillsborough–Academy

Charles SharkeyBridgewater

Law & Public SafetyMeghan Sheasley

Bridgewater–Integrated TechVarsha Shrinet

S. Bound Brook–AcademyTrevor Shu*

Somerset–AcademyEmily Siniscalco*

Flemington–AcademyKirsten Smith*

Somerset–CosmetologyNichole Sorge*

Milford–AcademyJasmine Stanley

Somerset–Cosmetology

Erin StewartBridgewater–Dance

Ryan StewartFranklin Park–Integrated Tech

Erika StravalacciHillsborough–Cosmetology

Natasha ThurmondSouth Bound BrookAgricultural Science

Bane TindallManville–Welding

Lila TinerBranchburg–Cosmetology

Matthew TruccoBasking Ridge

Graphic CommunicationsKimberly Vasquez†

North PlainfieldLaw & Public SafetyShayne Vasquez†

Ringoes–Theater Arts

Destynee Vegliante†

Hillsborough–Health Occup.Ciara Villanueva†*

Bound BrookLaw & Public SafetySamantha WarchalWarren–CosmetologyChristopher Warren*

North Plainfield–AcademySydney WeberBridgewater

Law & Public SafetyWilliam Webster

Hillsborough–Health Occup.Alyssa Wehrle

Hillsborough–CosmetologyRyan Zaborowski†

Bridgewater–Plumbing

One hundred sixty one SCVTHS students received their diplomasin seventeen vocational programs ranging from Automotive Technologyto the Performing Arts. The ceremony was held on Wednesday,June 21, 2017 in the Auditorium of Somerset County Vocational &Technical High School located in Bridgewater. Principal DianeZiegler welcomed graduates and their guests. Diplomas and awardswere presented by Superintendent Dr. Chrys Harttraft, Board ofEducation President William Hyncik, Jr., Board of Education VicePresident Sarah Costa, Board of Education members Theodore Smithand Stephen Rodzinak, and Board Secretary Raelene Catterson.

The Career and Technical Education Valedictorian for the class of2017 was Graphic Communications student Daria Marini ofBridgewater. The Career and Technical Education Salutatorian was

Cosmetology student Kirsten Smith of Somerset. Valedictorians fromthe Academy for Health and Medical Sciences were Madalyn Arcurioof Flemington, Stephanie Coppola of Milford, Khushma Parekh ofRingoes, and Emily Siniscalco of Flemington. The Academy forHealth and Medical Sciences Salutatorian was Ruchi Patel ofHillsborough. The Technical Occupational Preparation for Success(TOPS) student speaker was Cosmetology student Kaitlyn Gargirello.

Freeholder Patricia L.Walsh addressed the graduates on behalf ofthe Somerset County Freeholders. Other dignitaries in attendanceincluded Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione andFreeholder Brian Levine.iFor more information, contact James Strickhart at jstrickhart@scvts.net or(908) 526-8900, x7169.

SOMERSET

COUNTY VOCA

TIONAL& TECHN

ICAL HIGHSCHOOL

JULY 2017 • VOLUME 6, NO.9

SCVTHS CLASS OF 2017 GRADUATESRECEIVE DIPLOMAS AT COMMENCEMENT

SOMERSET COUNTYVOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL SCHOOLS14 Vogt Drive• P.O. Box 6350

Bridgewater, NJ 08807(908) 526-8900www.scvths.org

A US News & World Report TopRanked High School!

PRINCIPAL’SCORNER

Dear Jaguar Nation,

I want to send heartfelt congratulationsto the graduating class of 2017! The faculty, staffand administration here at Somerset CountyVocational & Technical High School have watchedyou grow and learn over the past four years.Everyone at SCVTHS wishes you all the best in thenext chapter of your lives.

Looking ahead, I encourage all returningstudents to enjoy some fun and relaxing activitiesover the summer but to also read and stay focusedon your academic goals. See you in September!

Upcoming Events:Soccer season – August 14thNew Student Orientation – August 17th

Sincerely,Diane M. Ziegler

JAGUAR NaTIONJAGUAR NaTION

Somerset CountyVocational & Technical High School Class of 2017 Commencement in Bridgewater, NJ on June 21, 2017

SCVTHS Class of 2017

†Member National Technical Honor Society *Member National Honor Society

Meyer Gershater, a senior in the Academy for Health &Medical Sciences at Somerset County Vocational & TechnicalHigh School, has been honored for his exemplary volunteerservice with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages

who have volunteered significant amounts of their time toserve their communities and their country, was granted byThe Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program onbehalf of the President’s Council on Service and CivicParticipation. SCVTHS nominated Meyer for nationalhonors this fall in recognition of his volunteer service.As part of the President’s Volunteer Service Award

application, Meyer spoke of his work with the SomervilleRed Cross Youth Council where he served as the club’sSecretary and is currently President. Meyer helped runfundraisers, blood drives and fire canvassing campaigns.The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored

by Prudential Financial in partnership with the NationalAssociation of Secondary School Principals (NASSP),recognizes middle level and high school students acrossAmerica for outstanding volunteer service.“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young

people across America are making remarkable contributionsto the health and vitality of their communities,” said JohnStrangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial.“By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight ontheir volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others toconsider how they can also contribute to their communities.”“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism

is an important part of life,” said NASSP ExecutiveDirector JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lessonwe hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”Prudential Spirit of Community Award applications

were distributed nationwide last September through middle

level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-Horganizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs andHandsOn Network affiliates. Volunteer activities werejudged on criteria which included personal initiative,creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.SCVTHS is a fully accredited, four year high school

located on an eighty-acre campus at 14 Vogt Drive inBridgewater, New Jersey. Serving all of Somerset County,SCVTHS accepts students on a full or shared-time basisfor challenging programs that combine training in occupa-tional and academic skills. Along with the Career andTechnical Education (CTE) offerings, students are providedwith the opportunity to take a variety of rigorous collegepreparatory academic courses. SCVTHS has been providingquality education and technical skills training to SomersetCounty for over fifty years.i

For more information, contact James Strickhart at jstrickhart@scvts.netor (908) 526-8900, x7169.

Anthony DiFelice

BRIDGEWATER SENIOR RECEIVESPRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

JAGUAR NaTIONJAGUAR NaTION

JULY 20172JAGUAR NATIONVolume 6, No. 9 • July 2017

Duane Wallace • Editor & DesignerJames Strickhart • Editorial

Sharleen Leahey • Graphic ProductionJanet Cantore -Watson • Photography

SOMERSET COUNTYVOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

VOCATIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATIONWilliam G. Hyncik, Jr., PresidentSarah Costa, Vice-President

Theodore Smith Steve RodzinakRoger A. Jinks, Executive County Superintendent

Patricia L. Walsh, Freeholder Liaison

ADMINISTRATIONChrys Harttraft, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

Raelene M. CattersonSchool Business Administrator /Board Secretary

Diane M. Ziegler, PrincipalMaria Johnson, Director of Pupil Services

This publication was funded by theSomerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Meyer Gershater

Anthony DiFelice, a junior in the Auto Body Program, has been selected as Somerset CountyVocational & Technical High School’s Student of the Month for June 2017. Anthony is the sonof Gail Figueroa of Bound Brook.SCVTHS English Instructor Chris Miller nominated Anthony for Student of the Month

because he is a “hard-working, respectful, cheery student.” Mr. Miller added that Anthony“always goes the extra mile doing his work, whether it's an individual effort or a group collaboration.Even when the cards are stacked against him, he always perseveres and finds a way.”At SCVTHS, Anthony has been a recipient of other awards including the Awesome

Academic Attitude Award for Autobody, Most Helpful Student in Shop for Autobody andStellar Student of the Month.Outside of SCVTHS, Anthony works at the Golden Corner Diner in Bound Brook and

spends his free time fixing and painting his friends’ bikes.After graduating from SCVTHS, Anthony plans on entering the Auto Body industry painting

and repairing cars. One day, Anthony hopes, he may also become a pilot.“I am very grateful for this award,” Anthony said. “I’m just a regular kid who wants to do

great things.”i

i

Anthony DiFelice

2